September 8th, 2010
10:00 PM ET

Gov. Schwarzenegger to sign 'Chelsea's Law' on Thursday

The parents of a California teen who was raped and murdered by a sex offender this year will join Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Thursday as he signs into law a bill that increases penalties for certain sex offenses.

Named after 17-year-old Chelsea King, "Chelsea's Law" increases penalties for forcible sex acts against minors and mandates lifetime parole for certain sex offenders.

Schwarzenegger will be joined by the teen's parents, Brent and Kelly King, and the bill's sponsor, Assemblymember Nathan Fletcher, as he signs it into law at Balboa Park in San Diego, California at 9:45 a.m. PT. The event will be webcast live at www.gov.ca.gov.

"Chelsea's Law" has an urgency clause attached to it that means it will take effect as soon as it is signed.

Read more about "Chelsea's Law" on CNN.com

The bill creates a penalty of life without the possibility of parole for forcible sex crimes against minors that include aggravating factors, such as the victim's age or whether the victim was bound or drugged.

"Chelsea's Law" also sets criteria for assessing the risk of recidivism and, based on that risk, placing certain paroled sex offenders under greater supervision.

Registered sex offender John Gardner III has admitted to killing King and 14-year-old Amber Dubois. He was sentenced in April to three consecutive terms of life without parole for the murders and an attack on a jogger in a plea deal that spared him the death penalty.

Dubois' father is behind three assembly bills concerning law enforcement response to missing children. They are also awaiting Schwarzenegger's signature.

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Filed under: Crime
soundoff (120 Responses)
  1. Spotlight

    The best thing to do is to get a job, and teach our kids the importance and value of having a work ethic, and not depending on unemployment benefits for one year, or any other government handout. When you have a willingness to work, you will take any available job, without giving excuses.

    September 12, 2010 at 2:32 am | Report abuse |
  2. Camera Time

    Responsible parents teach their kids the importance of being responsible for their own personal safety, and not to rely on laws for that. No wonder Ca is broke. This law is a waste of tax payer money.

    September 12, 2010 at 2:39 am | Report abuse |
  3. Book Deal

    Boycott the Kings. Don't buy their book. Do not enable or financially contribute to media hounds that are sadly exploiting a tragedy.

    September 12, 2010 at 2:40 am | Report abuse |
  4. Media Hound

    If it had been my daughter, I would want SDPD to be held accountable, instead of this wasteful, useless law, but I am a very private person, and not a fan of the spotlight. There are sketch artists available on skype 24/7. Had SDPD done their job, in the attempted r_pe of Candace Moncayo, Chelsea would still be alive today. Candace did not have a last name like King. Hmmm, makes you wonder?

    Thank you CANDACE MONCAYO for your statement in court, and helping SDPD CATCH Chelsea's k_ller!!!!

    Thank you Larry King for being in the only one in the media to ask the King’s real questions!!

    September 12, 2010 at 2:42 am | Report abuse |
  5. Haydee Clemments

    I’m impressed, I have to say. Really not often do I encounter a weblog that’s both educative and entertaining, and let me tell you, you've hit the nail on the head. Your idea is outstanding; the difficulty is one thing that not enough individuals are talking intelligently about. I'm very blissful that I stumbled throughout this in my seek for one thing relating to this.

    March 20, 2011 at 4:54 am | Report abuse |
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